Restyled 2009 Honda Element Starts at $20,175

Honda has announced the pricing for the restyled 2009 Honda Element. The 2009 Element 2WD LX starts at $20,175.

For 2009 the Element receives a new front end that is similar to the larger Pilot. There are also new taillights.

In addition to the styling changes on the outside there are a bunch of new options such as a removable/ cooler storage box on the EX. A new overhead console provides even more storage and a navigation system is also optional.

The 2.4L i-VTEC 4-cylinder remains the sole engine in the Element. It can be mated to either a 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission. Real Time 4WD is available on the Element LX and EX. Fuel economy ranges from 20/25 to 18/23.

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Shell and GM Open Hydrogen Fueling Station in LA

The first public fueling station to provide both hydrogen and gasoline opened in Santa Monica last month. Shell Hydrogen and GM combined forces to give drivers in Chevy’s Project Driveway program an LA-based location to refuel their Equinox fuel cell vehicles, which are currently being test driven by “regular foks” on Southern California’s roads and freeways.

So far, the Santa Monica station is Shell’s third hydrogen station in the country as part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Hydrogen Vehicle and Infrastructure Demonstration and Validation Project (DOE Learning Demo). The two other stations are located in Washington, D.C. and White Plains, NY.

Currently, GM, Shell and the DOE Learning Demo are only set to deploy fuel cell vehicles and install hydrogen stations in Southern California, Washington, D.C. and the New York City metropolitan area.

Southern California drivers of Honda’s FCX Clarity fuel cell vehicle, which is currently being driven by actress Jamie Lee Curtis and her director husband Christopher Guest among other celebrities and car enthusiasts, will also be pumping hydrogen at the new Santa Monica station.

The Department of Energy’s Hydrogen Locator claims the United States has only a handful of public hydrogen fueling stations with the majority in California (3).

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Top Secret’s Latest Parts (Prius and Insight)

Normally a post with a title like that would have an ! or some other method to convey excitement. What can I say here… Top Secret has been hard at work on two new cars for their tuning line-up. The ZE2 Honda Insight and the ZVW30 Toyota Prius. (yes I name dropped the chassis codes…one day when the ZE2 and the ZVW30 both become Tsukuba Circuit time attack record holders we’ll affectionately call them by these codes like we do R35s and S15s…or not).

All sarcasm aside, Top Secret has put in some considerable work to be appreciated by the eco-loving hybrid drivers out there that perhaps also own a Top Secret tuned Supra or GT-R. Both cars feature Top Secret original aero kits designed both for looks and also for aerodynamic efficiency (better miles per gallon er… kilos per liter). The cars both run RAYS eco drive wheels designed for maximum weight reduction, in this case the 15″ RE30 Volk is fit for duty of cranking up the ECO further. Continue reading at The Real JDM

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Honda Still Top Value

A study just released by Strategic Vision — one of those companies that makes money asking people how much they like their cars — shows that Honda remains the top automaker when buyers are asked about overall value. The survey was given to more than 64,000 people who purchased a car from Oct. 2005 to March 2006, after they had lived with their new cars for 90 days. While Honda is the big winner, Toyota went from winning seven categories to taking only three this year; two of them for Lexus and one for Scion. GM came from behind and took four categories, although two of them were for the Corvette. Hyundai and Kia were another surprise taking four categories.

While these types of surveys are never 100% accurate, the sheer size of the respondent pool is impressive.

For the full list keep reading.

Strategic Vision Results 

• Small car: Honda Civic
• Small multifunction: Scion xB
• Medium car: Kia Optima
• Medium multifunction: Mazda6 Wagon
• Larger car: Hyundai Azera
• Near luxury car: BMW 3 Series
• Luxury multifunction: Audi A4/S4 Avant
• Luxury car (three-way tie): Lexus LS 430, Acura RL, Audi A8
• Small specialty under $25K: Mini Cooper
• Small specialty over $25K: Chevrolet Corvette
• Mid-specialty: Honda Accord Coupe
• Convertible under $30K: Mini Cooper Convertible
• Convertible over $30K: Chevrolet Corvette Convertible
• Minivan: Kia Sedona
• Small SUV (tie): Saturn Vue, Hyundai Tucson
• Medium crossover SUV: Honda Pilot
• Medium SUV: Nissan Xterra
• Large SUV: Nissan Armada
• Near luxury SUV: Lexus RX 330
• Luxury SUV: Mercedes GL Class
• Compact pickup: Honda Ridgeline
• Full-size pickup: Nissan Titan
• Heavy-duty pickup: Chevrolet Silverado
• Best model: Mini Cooper
• Most improved brand: Honda
• Best corporation (overall): Honda Motor Co.

[Survey Puts GM Vehicles at Top, Detroit News]

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